Retail businesses beware

MORE than 750 workers at retail stores throughout Australia have received an unexpected bonus - more than half a million dollars in back-pay.

The underpayments came to light following random audits of almost 2000 retail employers by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

A targeted education and compliance campaign has recovered $585,000 for 755 retail staff who were being unknowingly underpaid.

NSW employers accounted for 41 per cent of the total underpayment, with businesses being asked to reimburse $237,786 to 220 employees.

Fair Work inspectors also recouped:

$153,820 for 187 staff in Victoria,

$74,729 for 95 staff in South Australia,

$45,071 for 125 staff in Queensland,

$43,659 for 66 staff in Western Australia,

$12,091 for 26 staff in Tasmania,

$10,242 for 16 staff in the Northern Territory, and

$8001 for 20 staff in the ACT.

Of 1866 employers audited so far, 492 (26 per cent) have recorded a total of 653 contraventions - primarily relating to underpayment of wages, failure to conform with payslip requirements and failure to adhere to time and wage requirements.